Display signs



ec. 6, 1966 a... N. EDWARDS 3 DISPLAY SIGNS Filed May 25, 1966 l 53 l I United States Patent 3,289,340 DISPLAY SIGNS Lindell N. Edwards, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Commander Board International Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed May 23, 1966, Ser. No. 552,303 8 Claims. (Cl. 40143) This invention relates to improvements in display signs. More particularly, this invention relates to improvements in display signs which can support indicia at both of the faces thereof.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved display sign which can support indicia at both of the faces thereof.

It would be desirable to provide a display sign which could support indicia at both of the faces thereof, which could provide uniform center-to-center spacings for the fasteners of those indicia, and which could be made in sectional form. Such a display sign could be made economically, could be shipped with a minimum of cost, and could be used effectively in the field. The present invention provides such a display sign; and it does so by forming a number of identical sections which can be connected together to provide a panel of the desired height for the display sign. Each of the sections has recesses at the opposite faces thereof, and those recesses have the same center-to-center spacings. Furthermore, the sections of the panel have abutting portions that are formed and dimensioned to enable the adjacent recesses in adjacent sections of the panel to have the same center-to-center spacings which the rest of the recesses in those sections have. It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide sections, for the panel of a display sign, which have recesses in each face thereof with uniform center-to-center spacings and which have abutting portions that are formed and dimensioned to enable the adjacent recesses in adjacent sections of the panel to have the same center-to-center spacings which the rest of the recesses in those sections have.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from an examination of the drawing and accompanying description.

In the drawing and accompanying description a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described but it is to be understood that the drawing and accompanying description are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the invention and that the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

In the drawing, FIG. 1 is an elevational view of part of the upper left hand corner of a display sign that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, through the part of the display sign shown in FIG. 1, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 22 in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, on the scale of FIG. 2, showing two sections of the display sign in juxtaposition.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeral 20 generally denotes one section of the panel of a display sign that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention. That section has an upper abutting portion 21 with an inclined upper face 22, as shown particularly by FIG. 2; and that inclined upper face has an elongated slot 24 therein. The numerals 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36 denote recesses in the opposite faces of the section 20; and those recesses are trapezoidal in cross section. The recesses 28, 32 and 36 open to the front face of the section 20, While the recesses 26, 30 and 34 open to the rear face of that section. The center-to-center spacings of the recesses 28, 32 and 36 are uniform; and the center-tocenter spacings of the recesses 26, 30 and 34 also are uniform. Moreover, the center-to-center spacings of the recesses 26, 3t) and 34 are equal to the center-to-center spacings of the recesses 28, 32 and 36. It will be noted that the recesses 26, 30 and 34 are vertically offset from the recesses 28, 32 and 36. This is desirable because it means that the overall thickness of the section 20 is no greater than the depth of any recess plus the thickness of the metal defining the inner end of that recess. As a result, the section 20 has a desirably small thickness.

The numeral 37 denotes a lower abutting portion with an inclined lower face 38. The inclination of that lower face is identical to the inclination of the upper face 22. As a result, the inclined faces 22 and 38 lie in planes which are parallel to each other. An elongated rib 40 extends downwardly from the inclined face 38 on the lower abutting portion 37 of the section 20. That elongated rib is in vertical registry with the elongated slot 24 in the inclined upper face.22. Moreover, the elongated rib 40 is dimensioned to fit neatly within an elongated slot of another section Which is comparable to the section 20.

One such other section is shown in FIGS. 1-3, and it is generally denoted by the numeral 42. That section will have three trapezoidal recesses in the front face thereof which are similar in configuration, size, and center-tocenter spacings to the recesses 28, 32 and 36 of section 20. One of those recesses is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and it is denoted by the numeral 48. Also, the section 42 will have three trapezoidal recesses in the rear face thereof which are similar in configuration, size, and center-tocenter spacings to the recesses 26, 30 and 34 of section 20. One of those recesses is shown in FIG. 3, and it is denoted by the numeral 46.

The section 42 has an upper abutting portion 43 with an inclined upper face 44 thereon; and the inclination of that upper face is complementary to the inclination of the lower face 38 on the lower abutting portion 37 of the section 20. An elongated slot 45 is formed in the inclined upper face 44, and that elongated slot is dimensioned to neatly accommidate the elongated rib 40 on the inclined lower face 38 of the lower abutting portion 37 of the section 20. As a result, the inclined lower face 38 of the abutting portion 37 of the section 20 can be set in abutting relation with the inclined upper face 44 of the upper abutting portion 43 of the section 42; and the elongated rib 40 can be disposed neatly Within the elongated slot 45, as shown particularly by FIG. 2. Whenever the elongated rib 40 is disposed within the elongated slot 45, it will hold the lower abutting portion 37 of the section 2(1) in registry with the upper abutting portion of the section 42.

The bottom of the section 42 will have a lower abutting portion comparable to the lower abutting portion 37 on the section 20. Also, the bottom of the section 42 will have an elongated rib which is comparable to the elongated rib 40 on the section 20. This means that the bottom of the section 42 can be assembled with the top of a further section which is similar to the sections 20 and 42.. With this arrangement, panels of different heights can be made for display signs by merely interconnecting the desired nurnber of sections 20 and 42.

The tops of panels for display signs, formed from sections 20 and 42 and from similar sections, will be supported and confined by a slot in the lower edge of a horizontally-directed frame member 52. Similarly, the bottoms of such panels for display signs will be supported and confined v=by 'a slot .in the top edge of a horizontallydirected frame member, not shown. The ends of those panels for display signs will be supported by slots in vertically-directed frame members 53, one of which is shown in FIG. 1. Those frame members will be suitably secured together to constitute a sturdy and rigid frame structure for the display sign.

The vertical dimension of the abutting portion 21 of the sec-tion 20 is less than the vertical dimension of the portion of that section intermediate the recesses 26 and 28. Similarly the vertical dimension of the abutting portion 37 of the section 20 is less than the vertical dimension of the portion of that section intermediate the recesses 26 and 28. In addition, the vertical dimension of each of the abutting portions of the section 42 is less than the vertical dimension of the portion of section 20 intermediate the recesses 26 and 28. As a result, when the two sections 20 and 42 are connected together, as shown by FIG. 2, the combined width of the abutting portions 37 and 43 is equal to the width of the portion of section 20' intermediate the recesses 26 and 28. This is important, because it provides the same center-to-cen-ter spacings for all of the recesses in the same face of the panel for the display sign.

The numeral 54 generally denotes an indicia which can be supported by either of the faces of the panel of a display sign made from the sections 20 and 42 and similar sections. That indicia has elongated flexible clips 56 with bent feet. Those feet are urged apart by the resiliency of those clips; and those feet are dimensioned so they fit easily within the recesses in the panel of the display sign formed from the sections 20 and 4-2 and similar sections. Those feet will bear against the inclined edges of those trapezoidal recesses to releasably hold those indicia in position adjacent the panel of the display sign. Because the center-to-center spacings of the recesses 26, 30, 34- and 46 are the same as the centerto-center spacings of the recesses 28, 32, 36 and 48, the indicia 54 can be interchangeably secured to either face of the panel of the display sign made from the sections 20 and 42 and similar sections. If desired, as illustrated by FIG. 2, the indicia 54 can have different spacings between the flexible clips 56 thereof. Specifically, the indicia 54 shown at the front face of that display sign has the resilient clips 56 therof spaced apart to fit into every fourth recess; whereas the indicia, not shown, at the rear face of that display sign has the resilient clips 56 thereof spaced apart to fit into every third recess. The primary requirement of the spacing of the flexible clips 56 of any indieia is that it be an integral multiple of the center-to-center spacing of the recesses in either face of the panel of the display sign.

Whereas the drawing and accompanying description have shown and described -a preferred embodiment of the present invention it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form of the invention without affecting the scope thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A display sign that comprises:

(a) a panel that has a plurality of sections,

(b) indicia, and

(c) securing elements that releasably secure said indicia to said panel,

(d) one section of said panel having a plurality of spaced-apart surfaces at the front face thereof to define a plurality of recesses in said front face of said one section of said panel,

(c) said one section of said panel having a plurality of spaced-apart surfaces at the rear face thereof to define a plurality of recesses in said rear face of said one section of said panel,

(f) said spaced-apart surfaces at said front face of said one section of said panel being spaced apart to provide equal center-to-center spacings for said recesses in said front face of said one section of said panel,

(g) said spaced-apart surfaces at said rear face of said one section of said panel being spaced apart to provide equal center-to-center spacings for said recesses in said rear face of said one section of said panel,

(h) said center-to-center spacings ib6tW6H said recesses in said rear face of said section of said panel eing substantially equal to said center-to-center spacings between said recesses in said front face of said one section of said panel,

(-i) said recesses in said front face of said one section of said panel being adapted to receive portions of said securing elements,

(j) said recesses in said rear face of said one section of said panel being adapted to receive portions of further of said securing elements,

(k) said one section of said panel having an abutting portion at one edge thereof,

(1) a second section of said panel having a plurality of spaced-apart surfaces at the front face thereof to define a plurality of recesses in said front face of said second section of said panel,

(in) said second section of said panel having a plurality of spaced-apart surfaces at the rear face thereof to define a plurality of recesses in said rear face of said second section of said panel,

(n) said spaced-apart surfaces at said front face of said second section of said panel being spaced apart to provide equal center-to-center spacings for said recesses in said front face of said second section of said panel,

(0) said spaced-apart surfaces at said rear face of said second section of said panel being spaced apart to provide equal center-t-o-center spacings for said recesses in said rear face of said second section of said panel,

(p) said center-to-center spacings between said recesses in said rear face of said second section of said panel being substantially equal to said center-tocenter spacings between said recesses in said front face of said second section of said panel,

(q) said recesses in said front face of said second section of said panel being adapted to receive portions of still further securing elements,

(r) said recesses in said rear face of said second section of said panel being adapted to receive portions Of additional securing elements,

(s) said center-to-center spacings between said recesses in said front face of said second section of said panel being substantially equal to said center-to-center spacings between said recesses in said front face of said one section of said panel,

(t) said second section of said panel having a further abutting portion at one edge thereof,

(u) said further abutting portion at said one edge of said second section of said panel being disposed in abutting relation with said abutting portion at said one edge of the first said section of said panel,

(v) said further abutting portion at said one edge of said second section of said panel and said abutting portion at said one edge of the first said section of said panel having a combined width substantially equal to the spacing between adjacent recesses in said front face of said one section of said panel,

(w) whereby the center-to-center spacing between recesses which are in said front face of said panel and which are disposed on opposite sides of said one abutting portion of said one section and of said further abutting portion of said second section of said panel will be substantially equal to the centerto-center spacings between the other recesses in said front face of said panel,

(x) said abutting portion at said one edge of the first said section of said panel and said further abutting portion at said one edge of said second sec-tion of said panel permitting full and free access to said recesses in said front and rear faces of said one section and of said second section of said panel.

2. A display sign as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second section of said panel and said one section of said panel are substantially identical, wherein the further abutting portion of said one section of said panel is adapted to be disposed in abutting relation with the one abutting portion of a third section of said panel, and wherein the one abutting portion of said second section of said panel is adapted to be disposed in abutting relation with the further abutting portion of a fourth section of said panel.

3. A display sign as claimed in claim 1 wherein said recesses in said front face of said panel are offset relative to said recesses in said rear face of said panel and wherein said securing elements are springy clips that have feet which are dimensioned to fit easily within said recesses.

4. A display sign as claimed in claim 1 wherein said recesses in said front and rear faces of said sections of said panel are trapezoidal in cross section and wherein said abutting portions and said further abutting portions at the edges of said sections of said panel are inclined relative to said front and rear faces of said sections of said panel.

5. A display sign as claimed in claim 1 wherein said abutting portions and said further abutting portions at the edges of said sections of said panel have complementary interlocking surfaces thereon to prevent relative forward and rearward displacement of said abutting portions and said further abutting portions at the edges of said sections of said panel.

6. In a multi-section panel for a display sign that comprises:

(a) one section of said panel having a plurality of spaced-apart surfaces at the front face thereof to define a plurality of recesses in said front face of said one section of said panel,

(b) said one section of said panel having a plurality of spaced-apart surfaces at the rear face thereof to define a plurality of recesses in said rear face of said one section of said panel,

(c) said spaced-apart surfaces at said front face of said one section of said panel being spaced apart to provide equal center-to-center spacings for said recesses in said front face of said one section of said panel,

(d) said spaced-apart surfaces at said rear face of said one section of said panel being spaced apart to provide equal center-to-center spacings for said recesses in said rear face of said one section of said panel,

(e) said center-to-center spacings between said recesses in said rear face of said one section of said panel being substantially equal to said center-to-center spacings between said recesses in said front face of said one section of said panel,

(f) said recesses in said front face of said one section of said panel being adapted to receive portions of securing elements,

(g) said recesses in said rear face of said one section of said panel being adapted to receive portions of securing elements,

(h) said one section of said panel having an abutting portion at one edge thereof,

(i) a second section of said panel having a plurality of spaced-apart surfaces at the front face thereof to define a plurality of recesses in said front face of said second section of said panel,

(j) said second section of said panel having a plurality of spaced-apart surfaces at the rear face thereof to define a plurality of recesses in said rear face of said second section of said panel,

(k) said spaced-apart surfaces at said front face of said second section of said panel being spaced apart to provide equal center-to-center spacings for said recesses in said front face of said second section of said panel,

(I) said spaced-apart surfaces at said rear face of said second section of said panel being spaced apart to provide equal center-to-center spacings for said recesses in said rear face of said second section of said panel,

(m) said center-tocenter spacings between said recesses in said rear face of said second section of said panel being substantially equal to said center-to-center spacings between said recesses in said front face of said second section of said panel,

(11) said recesses in said front face of said second section of said panel being adapted to receive portions of securing elements,

(0) said recesses in said rear face of said second section of said panel being adapted to receive portions of securing elements,

(p) said center-to-center spacings between said recesses in said front face of said second section of said panel being substantially equal to said center-to-center spacings between said recesses in said front face of said one section of said panel,

(q) said second section of said panel having a further abutting portion at one edge thereof,

(r) said further abutting portion at said one edge of said second section of said panel being disposed in abutting relation with said abutting portion at said one edge of the first said section of said panel,

(s) said further abutting portion at said one edge of said second section of said panel and said abutting portion at said one edge of the first said section of said panel having a combined width substantially equal to the spacing between adjacent recesses in said front face of said one section of said panel,

(t) whereby the center-to-center spacing between recesses which are in said front face of said panel and which are disposed on opposite sides of said one abutting portion of said one section and of said further abutting portion of said second section of said panel will be substantially equal to the center-to-center spacings between the other recesses in said front face of said panel,

(u) said abutting portion at said one edge of the first said section of said panel and said further abutting portion at said one edge of said second section of said panel permitting full and free access to said recesses in said front and rear faces of said one section and said second section of said panel,

7. A multi-section panel for a display sign as claimed in claim 6 wherein said second section of said panel and said one section of said panel are substantially identical, and wherein said recesses in said front face of said panel are offset relative to said recesses in said rear face of said panel.

8. A multi-section panel for a display sign as claimed in claim 6 wherein said abutting portions and] said further abutting portions at the edges of said sections of said panel are inclined relative to said front and rear faces of said sections of said panel and wherein said surfaces which define said recesses also are inclined relative to said front and rear faces of said sections of said panel.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,823,473 2/1958 Jacobs 40---l25 2,880,537 4/1959 Cygan 40-142 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner. W. W. NIELSON, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A DISPLAY SIGN THAT COMPRISES: (A) A PANEL THAT HAS A PLURALITY OF SECTIONS, (B) INDICIA, AND (C) SECURING ELEMENTS THAT RELEASABLY SECURE SAID INDICIA TO SAID PANEL, (D) ONE SECTION OF SAID PANEL HAVING A PLURALITY OF SPACED-SPART SURFACES AT THE FRONT FACE THEREOF TO DEFINE A PLURALITY OF RECESSES IN SAID FRONT FACE OF SAID ONE SECTION OF SAID PANEL, (E) SAID ONE SECTION OF SAID PANEL HAVING A PLURALITY OF SPACED-APART SURFACES AT THE REAR FACE THEREOF TO DEFINE A PLURALITY OF RECESSES IN SAID REAR FACE OF SAID ONE SECTION OF SAID PANEL, (F) SAID SPACED-APART SURFACES AT SAID FRONT FACE OF SAID ONE SECTION OF SAID PANEL BEING SPACED APART TO PROVIDE EQUAL CENTER-TO-CENTER SPACINGS FOR SAID RECESSES IN SAID FRONT FACE OF SAID ONE SECTION OF SAID PENAL, (G) SAID SPACED-APART SURFACES AT SAID REAR FACE OF SAID ONE SECTION OF SAID PANEL BEING SPACED APART TO PROVIDE EQUAL CENTER-TO-CENTER SPACINGS FOR SAID RECESSES IN SAID REAR FACE TO SAID ONE SECTION OF SAID PANEL, (H) SAID CENTER-TO-CENTER SPACINGS BETWEEN SAID RECESSES IN SAID REAR FACE TO SAID SECTION OF SAID PANEL BEING SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO SAID CENTER-TO-CENTER SPACINGS BETWEEN SAID RECESSES IN SAID FRONT FACE OF SAID ONE SECTION OF SAID PANEL, (I) SAID RECESSES IN SAID FRONT FACE OF SAID ONE SECTION OF SAID PANEL BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE PORTIONS OF SAID SECURING ELEMENTS, (J) SAID RECESSES IN SAID REAR FACE OF SAID ONE SECTION OF SAID PANEL BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE PORTIONS OF FURTHER OF SAID SECURING ELEMENTS, (K) SAID ONE SECTION OF SAID PANEL HAVING AN ABUTTING PORTION AT ONE EDGE THEREOF, (L) A SECOND SECTION OF SAID PANEL HAVING A PLURALITY OF SAPCED-APART SURFACES AT THE FRONT FACE THEREOF TO DEFINE A PLURALITY OF RECESSES IN SAID FRONT FACE OF SAID SECOND SECTION OF SAID PANEL, (M) SAID SECOND SECTION OF SAID PANEL HAVING A PLURALITY OF SPACED-APART SURFACES AT THE REAR FACE THEREOF TO DEFINE A PLURALITY OF RECESSES IN SAID REAR FACE OF SAID SECOND SECTION OF SAID PANEL, 